Nursing unit



Aug. 20, 1957 M, ALLEN 2,803,365

NURSING UNIT Filed NOV. 18, 1952' 3 Sheeis-Sheet l ATTORNEY Aug. 20,1957 ALLEN 2,803,365

NURSING UNIT Filed Nov. 18, 1952 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ADDA 'u.ALLEN W; Mun

ATTORNEY A. M. ALLEN NURSING UNIT Aug. 20, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FiledNov. 18, 1952 .INVENTOR ATTORNEYS United States Patent 2,893,365Patented Aug. 20, 1957 ice NURSING UNIT Adda M. Allen, The Plains, Va.,assignor to Disposable Bottle Corporation, Washington, D. C., acorporation of Delaware Application November 18, 1952, Serial No.321,173

12 Claims. (Cl. 215-11) The present invention relates to a nursing unit,and particularly to such a unit including a bag or container portion,and a breast and nipple portion, all formed integrally of a thin pliablefilm-like plastic material. The nursing unit of the present invention iscompletely disposable, in the sense that it may be thrown away, afterits initial use.

It is an object of the invention to provide such a nursing unit of cheapand simple construction, which as stated, may be disposed of after theinitial use, thereby eliminating the trouble and labor which is nowcommonly involved, in the sterilization of parts of nursing units ofconventional design.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a nursing unitwhich provides for sterile sealing of the nursing liquid in thedisposable container, and in view of the disposable nature of the unit,contamination of the nursing liquid is avoided.

Another important object of the invention is to provide such a nursingunit which does not employ any rigid parts, but which is characterizedthroughout by a softness and pliability, whereby the unit stimulates thesoftness of the mothers breast, during the nursing operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a nursing unit whichhas a breast portion consisting of air pockets or chambers, separatedfrom the liquid chamber of the unit. These air chambers are capable ofbeing inflated with air, so as to provide a soft and yielding areasurrounding the nipple, which is presented to the infants lips andcheeks, thereby simulating the softness of the mothers breast during thenursing operation.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentas the description progresses.

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a nursing unit formed in accordance withthe present invention.

.Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the nursing unit, showing thecontainer bag partially cut away and indicating the presence of nursingliquid therein.

Fig. 3 is a central transverse vertical sectional view taken along theline 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a similar transverse vertical sectional view through thenursing unit taken generally in a plane at right angles to that of Fig.3. Certain of the parts are broken away in order to illustrate therelative arrangement of the air and liquid chambers and the outlet ofthe liquid into the nipple structure.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig.3.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Fig.4.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view, showing the air chamher andassociated valve for filling same.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the nipple or staff of thenursing unit.

Figs. 9 through .13 are views of the tubular plastic stock, showing thesequence of heat sealing and cutting operations which are involved informing the nursing unit of the present invention, Fig. 11 being a sideelevational view of Fig. 10.

The entire nursing unit is made of a satisfactory commercial non-toxicplastic material, in sheet or tubular form, which is thin, pliable, andpreferably transparent, in order to perform during nursing in the mannerdescribed herein. Of course, the material must be strong and toughenough to withstand the use to which it is being put. I have found oneacceptable material which is known as polyethylene, a film-likematerial, transparent, on the order of .002" in thickness, capable ofretracting as the contents of the container are being withdrawn bynursing action, so that the nursing unit will be self-lactating. Whenthe container is filled, it may be pressed by the fingers to initiallyexpel any air prior to nursing and to assist the discharge of theformula through the nipple in the case of difiicult feeders. Anacceptable material is that which is described in my Patent No.2,508,481, dated May .23, 1950, and the references referred to therein,and the disclosure of this prior patent with respect to the materialreferred to is made a part hereof by reference.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the nursing unit, which is of integralconstruction, is formed entirely of this plastic material, as referredto, and it consists of a main container portion C having a breastportion B at one end thereof, and an extending nipple or staff portionN, which is suitably perforated to permit the nursing action. Thecontainer portion C may be of generally cylindrical shape, although itscontour will be altered somewhat by the heat sealing operationsdescribed herein, and, of course, the shape of the container will besomewhat altered by the presence of the nursing liquid therein.

The container portion of the unit is preferably initially heat sealed atthe bottom along the area 26' (Fig. 2), and it is filled through asuitable one way valve structure as indicated and hereinafter described.

The container portion of the unit may be left open at and filled fromthe bottom, with the nursing liquid, and after it is filled the bottomopen edges of the container bag may be closed by a suitable clamp, forinstance, as described in the Allen et al. Patent 2,460,329, of.Feb. .1,1949, and illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 of that patent. Of course, othersuitable means may be employed to close the open lower or filling end ofthe container, after it has been filled.

The upper end of the container bag is formed in a generally curvedsurface 10, simulating the contour of the mothers breast, and this endor breast portion, also comprises separate air chambers A which may beinflated at the time of manufacture or at the time the container isfilled. The air chambers A are separate and isolated from the interiorof the main container portion C which carries the nursing liquid. Theair chambers, on the .opposite sides of the structure, as viewed in Fig.2, are connected by vertical passages 14 and 16 and a top passage 18,which passages surround a central nursing liquid passage 20, which formsthe center portion of the nipple structure, and which is hollow and incommunication with the main interior of the liquid chamber C. Suitablenursing openings 22 may be punched in the side wall of the channel 20,for discharge of the nursing liquid during the nursing operation. Asperhaps best shown in Fig. 8,

the nipple structure is such that there is an interior liquid channel 20forming an extension of the main liquid chamber C, and air passages 14,18 and 16, extend upwardly and over the liquid chamber, td join theopposite air chambers A, so that when one air chamber is inflated, thechamber on the opposite side is likewise filled with air.

in the nursing operation, the staff of the nipple end is taken into theinfants mouth, .and when suction is applied by the infant in the nursingaction, the liquid is withdrawn from the container C through theopenings 22 in the central liquid portion of the nipple end. The airpassages 14, 18 and 16 of the nipple staff, when they are inflated,provide for rigidity of the nipple structure, so that the infant willhave no difliculty in holding samein its mouth. On the other hand, byreason of thesoftness of the material, and the presence of these airchambers, the nipple is soft and pliable, and will be comfortablyreceived and manipulated in the infants mouth. 7

Similarly, the inflated air chambers A will provide a soft and yieldingbreast portion, to be presented to the infants cheeks and lips, duringthe nursing operation.

The construction of the nursing unit, as briefly described above, mayperhaps -best be illustrated by a discussion of the method of formingthe unit, fromthe flat plastic or film stock, as illustrated in Figs. 9through 12. I

Fig. 9 illustrates a now conventional method of fabricating this plasticfilm, into individual units or packages. In Fig. 9, a long length oftubular stock is illustrated, and when thi tubular stock is flattened,it forms a twoply sheet which is customarily heat sealed, to join theplies, as illustrated at 26, whereby the stock may be cut transversely,for instance on the lines 28 and 31 to form a panel P which is closed atthe top by the heat seal 26, and open at the bottom, the panel beingopen at the bottom by reason of the fact that the transverse cut is madealong the line 39 just above the heat seal 26'. This illustrates thegeneral manner of forming the container, in accordance with the presentinvention, except that a novel method of heat sealing is employed in thepresent invention, along the upper edge of the container panel, insubstitution for the heat sealed line 26 of Fig. 9, in order to form thenipple contour and the air chambers of the nursing unit of the presentinvention as hereinafter described.

Referring to Fig. 10, a two-ply panel of tubular stock is shown at P,and a heat sealing operation is performed along the full line 30 in acurved manner, as illustrated, in order to form the breast portion edge32 and the nipple structure 34. This heat sealing operation may beperformed in any manner well known in the art, as by lowering a heateddie of proper contour onto the two-ply stock, and holding thisinstrument against the stock for a suflicient time, and at a suflicienttemperature, to attach the two-plies together along'the lines 30 andY34.

Thereafter, the stock is out along the dotted line 36, so

that a container is thereby removed from the length of stock, having anupper end formed into the shape of a breast, and protruding nipple, aswill be apparent from consideration of Fig. 2.

However, as has been indicated, this invention contemplates a methodwherein the air chambers A are formed in the two-ply film stock at thesame time that the breast and nipple contours are outlined by the heatsealing. Accordingly, my method provides for a sealing die which will beof such design as to likewise heat seal along the curved lines 49,inwardly of the breast portion, and along the curved extending line 42,within that sealing line 34 previously referred to which establishes theouter'contour of the nipple. Accordingly, when the die of proper designis applied at suitable pressure and with suitable heat to the two-plystock, the outer contour of the breast and nipple is established andheat sealed, as previously described, and at the same time the innerboundary of the air chamber A is likewise established, by the heatsealing along the lines 40, and similarly, the inner edge of theconnecting air chambers 14,

16 and 18 is likewise established, by that portion of the heat-sealingline 42, which extends upwardly into the nipple structure.

As stated, after the heat sealing lines are formed, as previouslydescribed, the upper edge of a panel is cut through both plies, alongdotted line 36, which is closely adjacent to the lines 30 and 34,whereby the upper end of a panel is removed from the two-ply stock,formed with the breast and nipple contours, and heat sealed so as toprovide the air chambers A which are separated from the interior of themain nursing liquid chamber C, as will be apparent from the descriptionpreviously given. The lower end of a particular nursing unit panel maybe out along a line such as 31 (in Fig. 9), so that the lower end of aparticular nursing unit or panel will be open, for purposes of fillingthe main body of the container, at the time the nursing unit is to beused. After filling, the lower end of the unit may be closed in anysuitable manner, as by the use of a suitable clamp or the like, asdescribed in the Allen et al. Patent 2,460,329, previously referred to,and as particularly described therein in connection with Figs. 2 and 3of that patent. However, as otherwise indicated herein, it is preferredto have the bottom end of the container sealed closed, and to fill thesame with nursing liquid through a one way valve.

The resulting panel, thus formed, will be generally of the constructionillustrated in Fig. 13, after the cutting operation. For purposes ofinflating the air chambers A, a suitable opening may be made in the sidewall of one air chamber, as at 44, and a small tubular inlet structure46 may be applied over this opening, to be used for inflating the airchamber, as by the use of a small pump or other suitable inflatingimplement. Any suitable one way valve structure may be employed, inconnection with the fitting 46, so that the air chambers may be sealed,after they are inflated. Fig. 7 illustrates a common means which may beemployed for this purpose, comprising a small sheet of plastic 48 whichis heat sealed to thewall of the unit, in such manner as to form aconfined pocket in which the tubular part 46 of the inlet may be foldedand inserted, in order to close off the inlet when the air chambers areinflated. As stated, any other suitable means may be employed forinflating and closing the air chambers, but I have disclosed here thesimple expedient of a valve stem 46, with a bottom flange which may beheat sealed to the body of the unit around the opening formed therein,and the overlying heat sealed pocket, all as previously described, thesimple means disclosed being only one expedient which may be employed.In general, I contemplate that any type of one way valve structure maybe employed to permit inflation of the air chambers while preventing theescape of air after they are filled.

It will be understood that only one inflating opening and valvestructure is required, by reason of the fact that the opposite chambersA are connected by the top passages 14, 18 and 16surrounding'and'overlying the liquid extension chamber 20, all as shownin Fig. 2.

It will also be understood that the two-ply plastic stock, asillustrated in Fig. 10 will be manufactured under sterile conditions, sothat when the heat sealing lines are made, as disclosed in Figs. 10 and11, the product will still'be maintained in a sterile condition, and asindividual panel units are removed from the elongated tubular stock,they may likewise be packaged under sterile conditions. Accordingly,when the nursing units are purchased for use in the home or at ahospital, they may be safely filled with the nursing liquid withoutfurther sterilization. After filling, the filled units may be stored ina refrigerator in the home. When it is time to nurse the infant, theymay be removed from the refrigerator, and the holes 22 may be punched inthe nursing liquid channel 20, which forms a part of the nipplestructure, after which the unit is in final condition for the feedingoperation. After these holes are punched, any air which might remain inthe container C may be expelled by simply pressing the container nearthe lower end thereof, the air being thereby expelled through theopenings 22. During nursing, and as the infant withdraws liquid from thecontainer, the material of the main container body C will retract,following the liquid as it is withdrawn, whereby no air will be admittedinto the container, to be taken by the infant. If the infant has anydifficulty in taking the liquid, or is slow in nursing, the nursingoperation may be accelerated by pressing gently against the side wallsof the main container body C, thus increasing the flow of the nursingliquid through the openings 22. Of course, any number of openings 22 maybe pierced through the walls of the channel 29 depending on the desiresand vigor of the infant being fed.

As has been mentioned, that portion of the air chamber which extendsthroughout the nipple structure gives stability to the nursing staffduring the nursing operation. Likewise, the inflated chambers A forminga part of the breast portion give stability to that portion of thenursing unit during the nursing operation. Furthermore, the inflatedbreast and nipple structure provides a suficient end barrier, which doesnot reduce in volume during the nursing operation, so that the infant isunable to take more than the nipple structure of the device, into itsmouth. It will also be understood that the air chamber, formed as it isto extend throughout the nipple structure, prevents any collapsing ofthe nipple during the nursing operation, it being understood thatcollapse of the nipple in the nursing units of the prior art has been aserious problem.

While I have suggested herein the closing of the lower end of thenursing unit by a clamp or the like after the unit is filled, it ispreferred that a suitable one. way valve structure for filling thecontainer be provided, such as the type of valve structure which isdisclosed for inflating the air chamber A, as illustrated in Figs. 7 and13. If such a valve is used for filling the container C with liquid, thelower end of the container could be heat sealed as at 26 (Figs. 9 and1G), and thereafter cut along the line 59, as indicated in the samefigures, thus providing a unit which is closed along its lower edge, butformed into the breast, nipple and air chamber structures, along itsupper edge as previously described. Prior to the time of use, such unitcould be filled through a valve structure similar to that described,which might be located near the lower end of the container as indicatedat 52 in Fig. 10.

It will be understood that I do not intend that the structures andmethods be limited to the precise form disclosed herein, but thatvarious modifications of the invention can be made which will fallwithin the claims defining the invention.

1 claim:

1. A disposable nursing unit for infants comprising a hollow containerbag for the nursing liquid and a hollow nursing nipple, said bag andsaid nipple being integrally formed of thin pliable film-like materialwith said nipple extending from one end of said bag and with its hollowinterior communicating with the hollow interior of said bag, thematerial of said bag on opposite sides thereof being joined togetheralong lines which extend inwardly of the edges thereof to form hollowair receiving chambers adjacent said nipple, said lines includingportions which extend transversely of the length of said bag, theinterior of said air chambers being separated from the hollow interiorof said bag whereby they may be inflated with air to simulate thesoftness of the mothers breast during nursing.

2. A construction in accordance with claim 1, wherein there are separateair chambers on opposite sides of said nipple, with a passage formed tomaintain said air chambers in communication with one another.

3. A construction in accordance with claim 1, wherein there are separateair chambers on opposite sides of said nipple, which are maintained incommunication with one another by a connecting air passage which extendsupwardly and across the nipple structure and which serve to maintain thenipple against collapsing during nursing.

4. An integrally formed nursing unit of thin pliable film-like materialcomprising a hollow container bag portion and a hollow nipple portionextending from one end of said bag portion and in interior communication6 therewith, and hollow air chambers formed from the material of saidbag portion adjacent to said nipple portion and separated along a lineextending transversely of the length of said bag portion fromcommunication with the interior of said bag portion.

5. A construction in accordance with claim 4, wherein a fitting isprovided with an opening therethrough for inflating said air chambers,with means for closing said opening when the air chambers are inflated.

6. A construction in accordance with claim 4, wherein a fitting with anopening therethrough is provided for filling the hollow container bagportion, said fitting having means for closing said opening when thecontainer bag is filled.

7. A nursing nipple for infants comprising a breast portion made of thinpliable film-like material and having a hollow interior and an integralhollow central nursing staff extending outwardly therefrom, said breastportion comprising spaced walls forming a closed chamber adja cent saidstaff and separated from the hollow interior of said breast portion toreceive air in order to simulate the softness of the mothers breast,said chamber being provided with a fitting having an openingtherethrough for inflating said chamber with air.

8. A construction in accordance with claim 7, wherein there is an airpassage extending upwardly along said staff, and which is incommunication with said closed chamber, whereby the staff is held rigidwhen the interior of the breast portion is filled with air.

9. A construction in accordance with claim 7, wherein said staff isformed with a pair of air passages on opposite sides thereof, and incommunication with one another across the top of said staff, and inwhich said passages are in communication with said closed chamber toprovide rigidity for said staff and to maintain it against collapseduring the nursing operation.

16. A nursing unit of thin film-like pliable plastic material having ahollow tubular container portion and an integral hollow nipple portionextending from one end thereof, the interior of said nipple portionbeing in communication with that of said container portion for flow ofnursing liquid into said nipple portion, the opposite plies of thematerial of said container portion at the end thereof adjacent saidnipple portion being sealed together along spaced lines extendinginwardly of the edges thereof to form a breast portion comprising closedair chambers to simulate the softness of the mothers breast when saidchambers are filled with air, said lines including portions which extendtransversely of the length of said container portion.

11. The method of forming nursing units from thin pliable thermo-sealingplastic sheet material comprising forming the material into flat tubularform with opposite plies of the tube substantially in contact, applyingsealing heat to the flattened material along such curved exterior linesas to join the plies together while defining an individual nursing unithaving a nipple formed to extend from one end thereof, similarlyapplying such heat along interior lines to join the plies and formseparate air chambers at the same end of the unit adjacent to saidnipple, and cutting both plies of the material outwardly of saidexterior lines to form separate nursing units.

12. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein the sealing heat isapplied to define both a rounded breast and a nipple protrudingtherefrom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS611,207 Morrill Sept. 20, 1898 1,107,339 Milliron Aug. 18, 19141,644,096 Voit Oct. 4, 1927 2,245,738 Taylor June 17, 1941 2,344,369Salfisberg Mar. 14, 1944 2,382,817 Reiss Aug. 14, 1945 (Other referenceson following page) Allen et a1 Feb. 1, 1949 Kennedy May 24, 1949 MornerNov. 20, 1951 Allen Jan. 8, 1952 8 Salfisberg Aug. 12, 1952 Hood Dec.21, 1954 Walter Feb. 15, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Mar. 26,1913

